1987 740 Mystery Dash Switch

jacobharding · Post by **jacobharding** » 14 Jan 2014, 15:24

Can someone enlighten me to what the switch to the far right is for? Nothing seems to happen when it is flipped. I was hoping maybe a giant sling shot would come folding up out of the roof, or a martini dispenser would flip out from the dash somewhere. Cooler yet...maybe the antenna would go up and down. No such luck. The owners manual in mum on the subject.

Post by **JDS60R** » 14 Jan 2014, 15:52

According to the owners manual

Power antenna
The power antenna switch can be used to retract the antenna when the audio system is turned on. This will permit operation of the cassette drive with the antenna in the down position.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 14 Jan 2014, 16:42

That's definitely an antenna down switch.

Does it look like the factory antenna, or did some yahoo replace it with a fixed mast type?

jacobharding · Post by **jacobharding** » 14 Jan 2014, 17:10

Thanks guys. That is kinda what I thought it was. The antenna looks original though it is not working at the moment.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 14 Jan 2014, 17:15

$5 says the motor is working perfectly fine, but the gears are stripped.

If it was my car, I'd go for a swim in the junkyard and see what I could come up with.

jacobharding · Post by **jacobharding** » 14 Jan 2014, 17:35

I have already ripped out the radio. The antenna is next. I am going to try to make a simple panel to fit in the void with an audio in and maybe a couple USB chargers...so much for the "All Original" in my signature, eh?

Post by **jimmy57** » 14 Jan 2014, 17:40

NO NO NO
That is the fast open sunroof switch for instances where an open umbrella gets folded inside out by the wind and it is a must to get it out of car in order to safely drive.

Volvos are always so misunderstood.

Steering wheel shake to relax the carpal tunnels in your wrists gets turned into bad brake rotors.

Audible brake apply squeal so you don't inadvertently ride your brakes gets turned into undesireable nosiy brakes.

If only mankind was able to readily adapt to technology as fast as the Swedes integrate it into Volvos.....

Post by **kcodyjr** » 14 Jan 2014, 17:40

Nobody will fault you for putting a real radio into it, either.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 14 Jan 2014, 17:42

jimmy57 wrote:NO NO NO
That is the fast open sunroof switch for instances where an open umbrella gets folded inside out by the wind and it is a must to get it out of car in order to safely drive.

Don't worry. The fast sunroof open function only works when you have previously hand-wound 88cm of braided copper roof line around the gear shift.